Abstract
We report on efficient coherent addition of spatially incoherent multimode laser beam distributions. Such addition is demonstrated within a multi-channel laser resonator configuration, obtaining more than 90% combining efficiency while preserving the good beam quality. We explain the rather surprising physical phenomenon of coherently adding spatially incoherent light by self-phase-locking of each of the modal components within the multimode beams. Our approach could lead to significantly higher output powers concomitantly with good beam qualities than were hitherto possible in laser systems.
Highlights
Intra-cavity coherent addition of laser beams was originally suggested during the 1960’s, with the introduction of the Michelson-Vernier type resonator [1]
In this Letter we present an approach for efficient intra-cavity coherent addition of transverse multimode laser beam distributions, possessing considerably more power than that of Gaussian beam distributions
Apart from revealing a surprising physical phenomenon, our approach for coherently adding spatially incoherent light distributions can lead to significantly higher output powers and beam quality than were hitherto possible in laser systems
Summary
Intra-cavity coherent addition of laser beams was originally suggested during the 1960’s, with the introduction of the Michelson-Vernier type resonator [1]. Far coherent addition of laser beams has only been obtained with spatially coherent Gaussian T EM00 beams, having a well defined amplitude and phase distribution. Since incoherent laser light has a multiplicity of transverse and longitudinal modes, with undefined amplitude and phase distributions, it was not considered for coherent addition. In this Letter we present an approach for efficient intra-cavity coherent addition of transverse multimode laser beam distributions, possessing considerably more power than that of Gaussian beam distributions. Apart from revealing a surprising physical phenomenon, our approach for coherently adding spatially incoherent light distributions can lead to significantly higher output powers and beam quality than were hitherto possible in laser systems
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